Antenna windows in carbon fiber enclosures

Abstract

In example implementations, an enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a first layer of carbon fiber and a second layer of a carbon fiber pattern fabricated from a plastic. The first layer of carbon fiber is formed in a shape of a portable electronic device. An antenna window is formed in the first layer of the carbon fiber. The second layer of the carbon fiber pattern has a same shape and a same size as the first layer of carbon fiber.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An enclosure, comprising:
 a first layer of carbon fiber that is formed in a shape of a portable electronic device; 
 an antenna window formed in the first layer of the carbon fiber, wherein the antenna window is laser cut into the first layer of carbon fiber; and 
 a second layer of a carbon fiber pattern fabricated from a plastic, wherein the second layer has a same shape and a same size as the first layer of carbon fiber, and wherein the second layer is positioned to cover the first layer including the antenna window. 
 
     
     
       2. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer of carbon fiber comprises a unidirectional carbon fiber composite or a multi-directional weaved carbon fiber composite. 
     
     
       3. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna window is injection molded into an opening of the first layer of the carbon fiber. 
     
     
       4. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna window comprises a glass or a clear plastic. 
     
     
       5. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna window is located over a location of a wireless antenna of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The enclosure of  claim 5 , wherein a shape and a size of the antenna window is based on a shape and a size of the wireless antenna. 
     
     
       7. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is adhered to the first layer of carbon fiber via out-mold decoration process. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus, comprising:
 a wireless antenna; 
 a processor communicatively coupled to the wireless antenna; and 
 an enclosure to enclose the wireless antenna and the processor, wherein the enclosure comprises:
 a first layer of carbon fiber; 
 an antenna window formed in the first layer of the carbon fiber, wherein the antenna window is laser cut into the first layer of carbon fiber; and 
 a second layer of a carbon fiber pattern fabricated from a plastic, wherein the second layer has a same shape and a same size as the first layer, and wherein the second layer is positioned to cover the first layer including the antenna window. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna window is injection molded into an opening of the first layer of the carbon fiber. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna window comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna window is located over a location of the wireless antenna of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 8 , enclosure further comprises:
 an adhesive layer between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the adhesive layer is cured via an out-mold decoration process. 
 
     
     
       13. A method, comprising:
 cutting a carbon fiber material into a shape of a portable electronic device; 
 cutting an opening in the carbon fiber material in a location where a wireless antenna of the portable electronic device is located, wherein the cutting the opening is performed via a laser cutting operation; 
 injection molding an antenna window into the opening; 
 applying an adhesive layer over the carbon fiber material and the antenna window; 
 applying a carbon fiber pattern onto the adhesive layer, so that the carbon fiber pattern covers the carbon fiber material and the antenna window; and 
 adhering the carbon fiber pattern onto the carbon fiber material via an out-mold decoration process that cures the adhesive layer. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the injection molding is performed with a glass fiber or a plastic. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna window comprises at least one of a rectangular shape, a “T” shape, or an “L” shape. 
     
     
       16. The enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adhesive layer applied between the first layer of carbon fiber and the second layer. 
 
     
     
       17. The enclosure of  claim 16 , wherein the adhesive layer is cured to couple the second layer onto the first layer of carbon fiber. 
     
     
       18. The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is formed as part of the first layer of carbon fiber.